# Dandara: Trials of Fear+ — user reviews > 97 indexed App Store user reviews of Dandara by Raw Fury, rated 4.40/5 from 137 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dandara-trials-of-fear-plus/id1576164868/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dandara-trials-of-fear-plus/id1576164868.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 104 · 4★ 9 · 3★ 9 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 11 ## Newest reviews (17 of 97) ### 4/5 — OS REVIEW *2026-03-04, version 1.0.1* This adventure is a pixel-perfect tribute to the golden age of exploration. It captures that classic 8-bit and 16-bit spirit without the frustrating crypticness of the past. The gameplay is remarkably user-friendly, offering a smooth difficulty curve that respects your time while still providing a rewarding "hunt" for every hidden upgrade. The background music is a true highlight—a catchy, atmospheric score that feels like it was ripped straight from a vintage cartridge, yet polished for a modern soundscape. It perfectly sets the mood as you uncover every secret corridor and forgotten chamber. ### 4/5 — Beautiful, engrossing, challenging. *2025-09-21* Very well done. Beautiful art direction and great controls-innovative and responsive. The world is deep and interesting and the level design is very thoughtful. It is challenging in parts, but the largest test is one of patience. Most of my troubles came from wanting to move and shoot faster than the game or circumstances allowed for. You must account for things like the half second charge on a shot when deciding to move in sticky situations. And if you are impatient, you will suffer for it. Edit: after playing further into the trials, no, the controls do become problematic. Later in the game the vast majority of deaths come from swiping the screen, seeing nothing happen, then getting killed. It’s still fun but in a game that’s going to require fast, perfect control, the interface can’t be anything less than perfect. ### 3/5 — Held back by atrocious difficulty tuning *2025-09-08, version 1.0.1* Great, unique movement system heavily burdened by a difficulty design that is nonsensical, borderline sociopathic. ### 3/5 — ?! *2024-10-16, version 1.0.1* How do you complete the game!!!!!!🤬🤬🤬🤬 ### 3/5 — Great Ideas, Finicky Controls *2024-07-24* The ideas for the game are great and well suited for a mobile device. The swiping controls did not work for me very well on my phone. The would often close the app and such, causing me to die. The camps where you respawn were often pretty far from where I would die, so there was a lot of going through the same areas again and again. The graphics and story were fantastic. I loved the idea for the gameplay, it just wasn’t great for how I was playing. I would still recommend this game, despite the issues I had. ### 5/5 — JUEGAZO *2024-01-11, version 1.0.1* Difícil y desafiante,la historia y los gráficos son hermosos,me cautivó de principio a fin,definitivamente el mejor juego que he jugado ### 5/5 — Takes Me Back to Metroid Fusion *2023-12-17* Metroid Fusion is one of my favorite games within the 2D Metroidvania genre. I remember being sucked into that game on the Gameboy Advance back in the day. I don’t play a lot of games on my phone these days simply because I either A. Don’t have the time or B. Don’t really like the games. Games either feel like a massive time commitment or are too simplistic to enjoy long term. This game is the first game in ages that has actually caught my attention. The controls are intuitive and fun. The gameplay is challenging yet rewarding. You can play for a few minutes or a few hours. When Apple Arcade first launched the titles on there were pretty lacking. It’s genuinely nice to see games like this on the service. This is probably the best one I’ve played on here. ### 5/5 — Отличная игра *2023-12-05* Тем кому нравиться игры по типу Ori или blashemous зайдет ### 5/5 — Cozy atmosphere, unique gameplay *2023-12-04* Heavily inspired by Blasphemous ### 5/5 — One of the best mobile games I’ve played *2023-11-09* I haven’t even finished the game and yet I love it. Any person who loves metroidvania games like Hollow knight, Haiku The Robot, or Ori would love this game. There’s not as many fighting modes that you would see in games like Hollow Knight, but that makes sense because it’s on mobile. Even with that it makes up for it in accessibility. You can play or pause any time in the day and you’ll always have this game to play wherever you are because it’s on your phone. Sure, you can play Hollow Knight on switch but I honestly find PC better. So, having a game like this is great because it’s not too complicated, and it gives you a lot of story and enemies you can fight. I’ve always been a fan of metroidvania games, but I don’t have enough time to really experience them on PC because I’m too busy. It’s great to have a game that I can play everywhere. ### 5/5 — One of the Greatest Games I’ve Played *2023-10-17* It was truly a moving experience to play Dandara. You can tell so much went into the art style, the music, the narrative. I loved it! It exceeded all expectations I had going in. The game was hard but not too hard; the story flowed well, while never feeling restrictive or too linear. I find myself looking for new games that can match the feeling of playing Dandara for the first time, which should say something about the impact this game can have ❤️ ### 5/5 — Very good Metroidvania *2023-10-08* For those who like Metroidvanias, this is a very good choice. Besides having the same classic mechanics from the genre, it has a smart way of making movement through the smart phone touch very easy and natural. Definitely a must play from arcade ### 5/5 — Voltei pra dizer: QUE TRILHA SONORA! *2023-09-15* Nossa boa demaisss, casou demais com a atmosfera do game, é relaxante, misteriosa, meio cósmica e 100% sincronizado com o que acontece é com cada interação no game. ### 5/5 — One of the best iOS games I’ve ever played *2023-06-02* I’ve seen some other reviews on here complaining about “clunky” controls and no clear progression / story. I completely disagree. This game is one of THE best iOS games I’ve ever played, and I’m super picky with my iOS games. I loved this game so much I played through it twice. The controls are unique and take some time to get used to, but what makes them so brilliant, is they FEEL like they were made for a touch screen. This is what most games get wrong on mobile. Most developers just create a game for console and then port it over to mobile. This game feels like it was made for a touch screen and it’s genius. Quick finger movements is all it takes to maneuver through the entire game, and it feels super dynamic. In terms of confusing progression, it’s a Metroidvania, so that’s part of the intrigue and puzzle of playing the game. It doesn’t hold your hand, but it rewards you for your curiosity and skill. A fantastic Souls-like on mobile. I can’t recommend this game enough!!! ### 5/5 — Incredible game *2023-05-09* Beautifully made, very challenging, but it was worth the effort. I got the first ending then played again and found out there was a “real” ending, I’m guessing this is the expansion? That final boss was so incredibly difficult, I think I replayed over 100 times to master it. It probably didn’t take other people as long, but wow did it feel amazing when I finally beat the game. I absolutely loved this game! ### 3/5 — Jogo bom, mas… *2023-04-18* Peca na jogabilidade, mais especificamente no controle, fases como a torre do relogio se tornam MUITO mais dificultosas deslizando na tela, algo em forma de joy stick ajudaria bastante. ### 5/5 — Excelente Metroidvania *2023-03-24, version 1.0.1* Uno de mis géneros favoritos dentro de los videojuegos son los rogue like y los metroidvania, la jugabilidad de este juego es creativa y única, la dificultad por otra parte esta bastante bien y de gráficos ni que hablar, además me encanta el pixel art, bonita historia y un tanto trágica también, la mecánica de tener dos mundos o universos por así decirlo me parece excelente, tal y como lo hace Castlevania y Bloodstained agrega una jugabilidad extra y un lore mucho más interesante, buenos personajes y lo único que echaría en falta es que tuviera logros, de todas maneras un excelente título el cual recomiendo jugar. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Very bad *2024-01-08, version 1.0.1* I downloaded the game and spent all day trying to figure out where to go but it’s so confusing. Not even a hint of where to go. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t save!!! *2023-05-05* I was really enjoying this game… spent several hours on it… and then I found out that when the game said it was auto saving, it actually wasn’t. In fact, it didn’t even have my initial save that it forced me to create when first starting the game. A game can be fun, beautiful, and have a great soundtrack but it is worthless if you CANNOT SAVE YOUR PROGRESS. I can’t even play this game on a different platform because apparently this is a problem across other devices as well. What a disappointment. ### 1/5 — Не заходит *2023-02-16* В игру не заходит вообще ### 1/5 — ЛГБТ вперед *2023-02-12* В этой игре этой темной подруге осталось обмотаться радужным флагом и топить за мир во всем мире. Пошли вы в лес с такими играми. ### 1/5 — Скучно, некрасиво *2022-02-08* В этой игре плох буквально каждый аспект. Рисовка скудная и не пестрит деталями, далеко не самый лучший представитель пиксель арта. Идея с перемещением исключительно посредством телепортации хороша, но реализация оставляет желать лучшего. Лично я дропнул игру когда быстро скакал по стенам, как вдруг из воздуха прям перед приземлением появляется противник (гарантированный урон, которого невозможно избежать). Игра как бы намекает на быстрые телепортация и мобильность - но стоит только увлечься, как тебя сильно казнят за спешку. Возвращаться к трупу - мука, «костры» стоят как попало, между каждой комнатой долгие анимации и загрузки, сундуки открываются по полминуты каждый, и скипнуть доооооолгую анимацию нельзя. Музыка однообразна и не соответсвует духу игры. Сюжет…ох, тебе с первой минуты намекают, что ты избранный. ### 1/5 — Игра НЕ ЗНАЕТ про хороший геймдизайн *2022-02-02* Если хотите потратить свои нервные клетки-смело устанавливайте. Начинается эта игра очень хорошо, все в лучших традициях крепкой метроидвании. Игра плавно знакомит тебя с механиками и примерно через два часа игры помещает тебя в НЕВЫНОСИМУЮ ДУШНИЛОВКУ! Я давно не видел, что сложность возрастала НАСТОЛЬКО внезапно и необоснованно. При нормальном темпе прохождения у тебя нет возможности подготовиться к этапу после «моста». Урон от врагов не соответствует размеру запаса здоровья, анимация атаки у врагов абсолютно не соответствуют анимации твоей атаки. Чаще всего ты даже выстрел сделать не успеваешь, как в тебя залетает очередной снаряд (даже в «размен» идти не вариант, не успеваешь). За концепцию и атмосферу-5 баллов. За геймдизайн-1 балл. Отвратительно. Чувствую себя обманутым ### 1/5 — Not Optimized OR Fun *2022-01-30* This game has clunky controls, a confusing layout, and a convoluted story that confuses “mysterious and deep” with “vague and ambiguous.” Dandara has you jumping around random locations in hopes of finding some new useful item, but in reality most of the power ups you receive actually just make the game HARDER! There’s no clear sense of progression, using the Dark Souls template of souls and bonfires (yawn), which is made worse by the fact that every new challenge you encounter is solved through trial and error. The gameplay loop is more or less progress to next room, die, get back to that room, collect your souls, go the next room, die, repeat. The learning curve, confusing controls, and lack of clear I-frames routinely leave you cornered by enemies, unable to heal, dodge, or fight back because you’re being pushed around from every angle. This game may have worked better with a controller or a console, but as a mobile experience this game just feels anti-player from the ground up. A terrible port that just punishes you for even picking it up. ### 1/5 — Ужасное управление на ipad *2022-01-18* Играть невозможно ### 1/5 — Don’t get me wrong the game is good, but… *2021-12-27* It’s way too easy to get softlocked. One area with the moving tiles can only be moved if you’re standing on it. When you enter an area, its position resets. This can be awful if you’re in a place where you cannot progress through it. In these positions, you must return to your camp and forfeit all of your salt that you’ve earned. Please fix this. ### 1/5 — Não perca seu tempo *2021-12-11* Horrível ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — amazing experience *2026-05-14* the soundtrack is phenomenal and enhances the experience a lot. the storytelling and foreshadowing is immaculate. 10/10 experience ### 5/5 — Fantastic so far! *2026-03-31* I must admit, I’m not very far yet, as I just beat Augustus, but I can say I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. The game definitely kicks the difficulty up a notch after the first boss, so if you don’t enjoy challenging games, I wouldn’t pick it up. However, if you enjoy challenging metroidvanias like Hollow Knight, this should be right up your alley. The movement is truly unique and the controls are incredibly intuitive, especially for a mobile game. This is one of those few mobile games truly worth it. ### 5/5 — Increíble *2025-12-16, version 1.0.1* Excelente juego, acción, arte, detalle, música, una historia cautivante, uno de los mejores juegos que he jugado, se agradece a los creadores y desarrolladores de esta obra. ### 5/5 — Beautiful, engrossing, challenging. *2025-09-16, version 1.0.1* Very well done. Beautiful art direction and great controls-innovative and responsive. The world is deep and interesting and the level design is very thoughtful. It is challenging in parts, but the largest test is one of patience. Most of my troubles came from wanting to move and shoot faster than the game or circumstances allowed for. You must account for things like the half second charge on a shot when deciding to move in sticky situations. And if you are impatient, you will suffer for it. Also in a mobile game, a personal irk, I need to be able to save more often. The knowledge that save spots can be 5, 10, 15 minutes away often means I can’t even start playing. But people accustomed to only playing in longer sessions won’t be bothered by this. And it does add a lot of fun and pressure to decisions more reminiscent of old, classic experiences. ### 5/5 — Круть *2024-11-14* Игра затянула, своей механикой и какой то внутренней красотой! Спасибо) ### 5/5 — Briliant *2024-07-15, version 1.0.1* This game was made to be played on a touch screen! I got the pc version on Epic for free, but it just didn’t grab my attention. When I played it here I got hoked from the very first second. Briliant metroidvania, it feels so intuitive with a graphic stylus. The plot is mid, but who cares? ### 5/5 — Sem Palavras *2024-06-26* Esse jogo é incrível e com gráficos maravilhosos, seu enredo e sua forma de jogo sao muito cativantes, simplesmente um dos melhores jogos que eu já joguei. Além ainda de ser brasileiro!!! ### 5/5 — Incrível *2024-05-23* Parece besta de início mas é bem desafiador o game, muito bom! ### 5/5 — Восторг 🤍 *2024-05-03* Прекрасная игра, очень атмосферная, почти 10 часов прохождения не мог оторваться. Очень интересный проработанный мир, местами похож на Stranger things. При этом он трогает что-то внутри, особенно под такой саундтрек. Механика игры довольно простая, но в игре отсутствует верх и низ, из-за чего локации воспринимаются необычно ### 5/5 — Metroidvania *2024-02-13, version 1.0.1* Cumple como metroidvania. La movilidad es bastante extravagante y divertida una vez te acostumbras. La música es buena, al igual que la dificultad, que no es un paseo, pero tampoco algo imposible. Recomendado, y realmente debería tener algo más de reconocimiento en el servicio de Arcade --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-12.*